Elders commit, we pay.
In a world where only power matters...
In a hollow part of the earth where Warriors, Healers, and clairvoyants lived together in peace before a wicked king came to rule the world. His intentions weren't out of goodness to his people, he wanted to rule the whole world and only someone who possesses the Arcana Of Time could help him reach his goal. The Arcana Of Time, a dangerous ability which consumes the life span of its owner when used, a deadly ability that allows its owner to look into present, past, or future, and it can be only possessed by a clairvoyant. So in order to find his possession, the king ordered to Separate each of the three races into three closed districts: District A, the royals and civilians. District B: the warriors. District C: the healers. Leaving the clairvoyants with no shelter where it'll be easy to hunt them down. And Rules are simple:
1- No one is to enter another district, not even accidentally. Death would be their sentence.
2- Love is forbidden between different races.
3- If a clairvoyant was caught hidden with a family, they all die.
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
***
Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.